Leaked information about the interior restoration proposed for the fire-damaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has sparked controversy, with some fearing the proposals would turn the site into “a kind of theme park.” The Archdiocese of Paris will soon present its design to France’s National Commission on Heritage and Architecture (CNPA) to restore the interior of Read more
France’s Notre Dame Cathedral is finally stable and secure enough for artisans to start rebuilding it, more than two years after the shocking fire that tore through its roof, knocked down its spire and threatened to bring the rest of the medieval monument down, too. The government agency overseeing the reconstruction announced in a statement Read more
Wearing a hard hat and boots, the archbishop of Paris offered Mass in a nearly empty Notre-Dame Cathedral this week as restoration of the fire-damaged interior of the Gothic cathedral kicks off. Archbishop Michel Aupetit used the occasion of the feast of the dedication of Notre-Dame de Paris to reflect on the spiritual metaphor of Read more
Pipe by precious pipe, Notre Dame Cathedral’s organ – that once thundered through the medieval building – is being taken apart after last year’s devastating fire. The mammoth task of dismantling, cleaning and re-assembling France’s largest musical instrument started Monday and is expected to last nearly four years. Once restored, it will take six months Read more
Muslims in France are standing with Catholics grieving Paris’s fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral. Their vision of an inter-religious gathering to show their support was realised in Paris last Saturday, when they joined with Catholics and Christians of other religions in song and prayer. The celebration of inter-faith togetherness was organised by Christian movement Efesia as Read more
Grand plans for the reconstruction of the Notre Dame’s roof reveal a glorious garden that will produce 21 tonnes of fruits and vegetables. An innovative design to rebuild the historic 12th century cathedral could see modern and eco-friendly features replace the original roof that was destroyed in the devastating fire in April. The possible transformation Read more
An Assassin’s Creed video game may be used to help with Notre Dame Cathedral’s reconstruction. When the Parisian Cathedral caught fire, the world held its collective breath. The spire fell, and the wooden roof was reduced to ash, but the holy relics were saved, and the interior preserved from the worst ravages of fire. Now Read more
The New Zealand Youth Choir which sang at Wellington’s Sacred Heart Cathedral last Sunday will soon be singing at a high mass in Paris’s famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Mass they will sing is one specially composed for them by New Zealander Andrew Baldwin. Notre-Dame de Paris is an historic Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of Read more
A plan by the French state to charge admission fees for tourists at famous churches has been denounced. The culture ministry and national heritage officials discussed the proposal without telling the Church. The rector-archpriest of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris said having a fee would make free access by believers almost impossible. Msgr Partick Jacquin Read more
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris — a religious, cultural and historical landmark on an island in the River Seine — is being spruced up to celebrate its 850th anniversary. The graceful and inspiring Catholic church that has dominated Paris since the 12th century, survived the Hundred Years War, the French Revolution and two world wars Read more